Sangma’s plea ill-conceived, Pranab tells Supreme court

President Pranab Mukherjee has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in response to a petition, filed by his opponent in the presidential election PA Sangma, challenging his appointment. Describing the petition as “ill-conceived and baseless”, Mukherjee told the Supreme Court that at the time of filing his nomination papers he held no office of profilt.

On August 21 Sangma had moved the Supreme Court contending that Mukherjee held an office of profit when he filed his nomination papers. The President has, refuted the allegation saying he resigned as the leader of the Lok Sabha, gave up the primary membership of the Congress and the honorary position as chairman of the Kolkota-based Indian Statistical Institute on June 20.

In his affidavit, Mukherjee has sought the dismissal of Sangma’s petition. Sangma’s petition seeking to set aside Mukherjee’s appointment as President would be taken up for hearing by the constitution bench of the court.